Imprinted By The Alpha (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (The Marked One - Book 1) (13 page)

He gave her an adoring smile, the kind Ava imagined she would have given an older sibling. It was almost worshipful. “Just a beer, Lil.” The bartender nodded, turning to reach into her fridge, and Ava’s heart froze, for an instant thinking that Caleb intended to purposely ignore her.

But he shot her a heated gaze that made her insides burst into flames and winked at her before Lil turned back around and served him. Casually, he turned to smile at Ava. “Hey, Ava.”

His tone was deceptively cool and collected, and as she felt his tension seeping through the air and into her, she realized he was trying to hide his reaction to her. Unfortunately, Ava didn’t have as much discipline and found it very difficult to maintain her composure. It had been too long since she’d seen him.

Her body was going haywire, at the sound of his voice, at his nearness, and all the memories of their passionate night came flooding back with drowning force. She also had questions, wanting to know where he’d been this whole time that she’d been so worried about her mother, so overwhelmed with more talk of destiny and responsibility than anyone should encounter in a lifetime.

Instead, she inhaled Caleb’s aroma, and it served to calm her desires slightly, a small satisfaction in the grand scheme of things. With a long, slow exhale and a swig of her beer, Ava replied in what she hoped was a cool and friendly tone, “Hi, Caleb.”

Lil eyed them both, and Ava pretended not to notice the suspicion in her gaze as she said in an overly cheerful voice, “Great! You two already know each other. Saves me an introduction.”

Ava said nothing, and Caleb mimicked her silence. She had the impression that Lil didn’t miss a thing and suspected that sparks flew between the two of them. But before the boss could say anything further or demand some sort of response, the news program stopped, and alert flashed on the screen, drawing the attention of all three of them. “We interrupt this programming with a Breaking News Bulletin.”

Ava focused intently as a field reporter came on the screen, with a caption stating that he was in Addis, two towns over. “Three people were killed last night in a brutal attack in Addis. The circumstances are uncertain, and details are sketchy, but the police have stated they believe the deaths resulted from an attack by a large animal. Investigations have just begun, with each incident occurring separately, to determine for certain that all three deaths can be linked to the same predator. We’ll be updating the story as more details become available. In the meantime, you are urged to stay safe and indoors after dark.”

The newscaster came back on the screen, and Ava took a pull on her beer. “Jesus. An animal? Come on.” She watched Lil’s face scrunch in disapproval. Obviously, the woman had her own suspicions as she shook her head, stared at Caleb, and turned back to the screen.

Curious as to what was on her boss’s mind, Ava asked, “What is it, Lil?” She hadn’t missed the silent communication between the siblings, either.

Lil threw her towel in the sink. “Nothing. It’s just bad for business when there are a bunch of crazies on the loose.” She stared at Ava for a long moment, and then leveled another meaningful gaze on Caleb before turning back to the flat screen.

Ava’s gut turned with suspicion. Lil was obviously bullshitting, but Ava wasn’t going to press the issue any further. She had several concerns, most of which were related to the things her mother had told her. She glanced at Caleb, noting his hands clenched in fists in his lap. He, too, was still fixated on the screen, and his face held a stony expression. Ava grew annoyed, thinking about the number of secrets in this tiny ass town.

She wanted to know what the hell it was they knew that they refused to share.

Ava was sick of surprises. Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone just spit out all the hidden crap they carried on their chests? She’d be shocked to hell, and then she could get over it and go about her business before the week was out. And the tension so many people held in their shoulders would disappear. Restless, she stood and carried her empty bottle to a case behind the bar, and as she came back, Caleb caught her by the arm.

She stared at him, surprised at his contact. “You wanna get out of here?” he asked, swiveling in his chair with the same restlessness.

Ava checked her watch and shrugged. “Sure. Are you going to finish your beer first?”

He took one more long draw on it and sat it down on the counter. “You finish it, Lil.”

The bartender stopped what she was doing and stared at them, her eyes speaking volumes about her disapproval. She leaned on the bar, her eyes narrowing. “How is it that you two know each other again?”

Ava held her breath, but Caleb caught her hand and pulled her toward the exit. “Mind your own business, Lil,” he called over his shoulder.

Ava didn’t have to turn around to know that Lil was burning a hole the size of Texas in Caleb’s back. He’d intentionally not answered her question and goaded her with his response. It made Ava nervous; the last thing she needed was her boss breathing down her throat about Caleb the next time she came in to work.

He led her silently down the trail that led to the field where she’d been attacked as the sun was just setting on the horizon, and he stopped next to a large willow tree at the edge of the clearing. Ava leaned against it, her chest rising and falling softly as she closed her eyes and inhaled the beauty of nature.

––––––––

C
aleb watched the rise and fall of her breasts as they strained against Ava’s shirt, and he remembered how soft they had been in his hands, how sweet her nipples had tasted. He had to do something to divert his attention. Quickly.

He cleared his throat. “I heard about your mother. I didn’t want to disturb you while you were taking care of her. Is everything okay?” Ava opened her eyes, glanced at him, and looked away. He could sense her apprehension.

“She’s starting to feel better now.”

Her words were crisp, and Caleb was disturbed by it. “What’s wrong with her?” he asked, wondering if maybe Ava had discovered the worst. Terminal cancer, a blood disease.

He watched Ava think about her response and saw when she decided to limit the details she gave him in the hardening of her eyes. Did she think he wouldn’t understand? Or was there something she was forbidden to say? “She’s got a virus that’s been going around. She’s just a little weak, that’s all.” She looked down and fidgeted with her hands.

Caleb didn’t think she was purposely deceptive, and he knew she must have a reason for not being honest. He wasn’t offended; he’d left her to her own devices in hopes she could swallow what he’d fed her and make up her own mind about things. Instead, she’d been bombarded with her mother’s sudden illness and likely hadn’t processed a damn thing about his feelings for her. He let his hand fall on her arm, lightly racing up and down as he leaned against the tree beside her. “I’m sure she’ll feel better soon.” He flashed her a small smile as she glanced up at him.

He could feel the goose bumps he raised beneath his fingertips. He continued lightly dragging them over her skin, liking the electrical sensation and her reaction to it. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as he noted her nerve endings lighting up. It encouraged him, and he leaned in, tracing his lips over her neck beneath her ear and down a line to her collarbone. He captured the skin there in his mouth, rolling his tongue over it as he nipped with his teeth. He was tender with it, and he could feel her melting beneath it.

Leaning in even closer, he nuzzled his nose to her cheek and drew in a breath. “You smell so good,” he whispered, the sound coming out as more of a growl as the scent of her excited his arousal further.

Caleb smiled to himself as Ava’s breath caught, her pulse quickening beneath his touch at those words. He slipped a hand inside her buttoned up shirt, pushing it sideways and forcing two buttons to come undone as he dipped into her bra and pulled out one of her breasts. He lightly tweaked her nipple between two fingers, and she let out a moan, licking her lower lip. Caleb traced his tongue down her neck and dipped his head to her breast, circling her nipple with his tongue and then lightly nipping at it.

He smelled the moisture as it poured between her thighs, and he sighed in contentment at the effect he had on her. Beads of sweat formed at her temple and around her hairline, and he murmured against her skin. “So beautiful.” Her head fell back against the tree.

Her heartbeat was louder in her chest, pulsing faster and harder through her veins, and her arousal grew by the second, the intoxicating musk of it filling his nostrils. He slid his fingers beneath her skirt, pulling the band of her lace panties to the side as he let his fingers glide back and forth against her damp folds. He watched her face as she opened her eyes, her breathing heavy and panting, and she didn’t protest as he slipped a finger into her very wet opening. She let out a moan, and her eyes fluttered closed as she moved against his hand, rocking back and forth to work with his rhythm.

She clutched at his shoulders for balance, and Caleb smiled to himself as he felt her growing wetter and more ready for him with each stroke. He loved tormenting her, the sight of her so aroused boosting his own desire. With each caress, the sultry expression on her face pulled him in deeper. “Does it feel good, Ava?” he whispered in her ear as he pushed his finger deeper.

She gasped, and his smile spread wider. She didn’t answer, instead wrapping her hand around his neck and pulling his lips to hers in a desperate kiss. Her tongue swirled with his, and he felt her body tremble against his as he savored her taste and took advantage of the opportunity to slide a second finger inside and stroke her walls faster.

She twitched and moaned helplessly, and he enjoyed leaving her powerless under his touch. She clung to his arm with her hips swirling as his muscles tightened and flexed with his work and she pressed harder against his hand. She was almost ready, and he slowed, thinking,
not yet.

“Please, Caleb!” she begged, spreading her legs apart to grant him better access.

“Please what?” he asked in a deep, rich salacious tone laced with his amusement at her need.

He stroked her nub with the pad of his thumb faster, and he waited for an answer.

******

A
va was beside herself, craving that final explosion. She needed his fingers inside her again, his thrusts akin to heaven and her body sizzling as he worked her clit.

He was driving her mad, and yet she couldn’t find that ultimate satisfaction. She cried out, her eyes popping open as his fingers shoved inside her warmth again, pushing deeper than before. She clung to his arm as her body arched and twisted beneath his powerful ministrations. She knew he was watching her, taking in her expressions as her face contorted with agony and ecstasy. She felt him taking note of her every breath and heartbeat as he toyed with her sensitive body, making the orgasm last for so long.

But with the first wave of climax ending, another crashed over her with even greater force, and she didn’t care what he saw or how she acted. He brought it to a pinnacle that made her gasp and moan over and over as his fingers filled her, stroking her walls so fast it felt like constant torture. “Fuck, Caleb. It feels so good. Please, don’t stop!”

The words were choppy, spoken on the hills and valleys of her swallows of air, and she fell apart as he hit a new spot, giving her what she asked for. Her body spasmed out of control, something in her stomach twisting with the insane pleasure, and she moaned loudly, letting out a long breath of air. Her muscles contracted so tight she thought she might break his fingers, and he pulled out, stroking her nub softly back and forth, letting her pulse slow from the point of a heart attack so she could recover.

When she finally managed to open her eyes to look at him, Caleb lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked them, making sounds as though it was the most delectable of desserts. His eyes were wild, and his mouth curved into a wicked grin. Ava groaned as he teased her, and she bit her lip, giving him a naughty smile with a hooded gaze. “You like driving me wild, don’t you?”

“Yes, I most definitely do.” He leaned in for a kiss.

It seared her lips, and if she’d been uncertain before, her questions disappeared. She was his now, utterly and completely. The look in his eyes told her that he belonged to her as well.

She straightened her clothes and struggled with her shirt as he chuckled. “Sorry, I can’t help myself.”

She scowled as she noticed the two buttons had popped off. “You really have to stop ripping my clothes off. I can’t keep replacing them.”

His laugh was long and riotous, but it ended abruptly, his smile fading, and Ava felt his body tense.

––––––––

C
aleb’s instincts kicked into high gear, and he listened carefully as his nostrils flared, taking in the unknown scent that had entered their territory. He followed the trail back to the source and stared over Ava’s shoulder, catching a set of glowing eyes at least five hundred feet into the woods behind them. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ava frown at him, then follow his gaze, but she wouldn’t be able to see it at this distance.

“What is it?” she asked her voice quiet and nervous.

He clenched his jaw and tensed, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He knew Ava’s gasp was due to the sudden glowing of his eyes. He could hear her heart racing; smell her fright at his sudden change and focus, the aggression she could probably sense on him. He didn’t answer her question, but he did give her a stern warning. “Don’t move. Stay right here,” he told her in a low growl.

He ripped his clothes and phased to wolf form, bolting into the woods as stealthily as he could.

******

A
va didn’t know what to think as she watched Caleb shift and take off, leaving her there, shaking in the moonlight. His agility was unparalleled, and she marveled at his quick and silent disappearance. But she was terrified. She knew his hearing and vision were far more acute than hers, and something had caused his alarm.